[alcatraz]

Mercedes-Benz Research and Development is using the Google Glass to create a navigation system that does not require you to look down, nor type in directions more than once if you are moving from walking, to car, back to walking again. On top of this, M-B is also looking into creating an Android-based infotainment system (which i think is the future of infotainment systems.)

Though both these projects are currently in development, I would guess that we can expect them in cars in the near future. It's about time that car companies give up trying to build better computers than Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Just choose Android or Apple and start building on their platforms. It will make everyone's lives a lot easier.

 

[Truthiness]

Is it possible to use the windshield to show direction, basically like a huge Google Glass? Would that be dangerously distracting to the driver? If you can wear the Google Glass while driving, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to put the navigation screen directly in the windshield. Might make it way more expensive to replace your windshield though.

 

[butterfield]

Is it possible to use the windshield to show direction, basically like a huge Google Glass? Would that be dangerously distracting to the driver? If you can wear the Google Glass while driving, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to put the navigation screen directly in the windshield. Might make it way more expensive to replace your windshield though.

They could try something like that using a projector mounted in the dash, but that is distracting.

Theres something out there called Graphene, its a flexible glass like material thats extremely strong and will behave like a conductor, once the process gets rolling it will be extremely cheap to produce. The technology is very versatile and could be used for interactive windshields (but maybe only when the car is stopped)

Another potential is Willow glass, it is a flexible glass that could be used, although Willow glass is only a screen and wont be able to display by itself.

 

[Truthiness]

I can't decide if having arrows and directions flashing across your windshield would be more or less distracting than having to look at a separate screen in order to see directions. Maybe it will work out that the only time we get windshields that are also displays is when cars drive themselves.

 

[alcatraz]

Turns out that Mercedes-Benz as well as other car companies are already working on these high-tech windshields, which they call Head-up displays, or HUDs. These systems project directions and other vehicle info onto the windshield or a reflector screen, and can pair with the car's system or a smartphone.

"The idea behind HUDs is to communicate critical data without diverting the driver's eyes from the road." Last year this technology was only found in 2% of vehicles, but that number is expected to rise to 9% by 2020.

'The technology is already pointing toward what carmakers and futurists call augmented reality." So this technology is not just exciting for our cars, it will also be integrated into many other aspects of life.

Mercedes-benz's project Dynamic and Intuitive Control System (DICE) uses gestures to control the display.

So, I guess we should see more technology like this in the near future. The safety issues surrounding this are still yet unknown. It may be more safe or less safe, or just present different safety challenges. Man, the future is awesome.

 

[butterfield]

Turns out that Mercedes-Benz as well as other car companies are already working on these high-tech windshields, which they call Head-up displays, or HUDs. These systems project directions and other vehicle info onto the windshield or a reflector screen, and can pair with the car's system or a smartphone.

"The idea behind HUDs is to communicate critical data without diverting the driver's eyes from the road." Last year this technology was only found in 2% of vehicles, but that number is expected to rise to 9% by 2020.

'The technology is already pointing toward what carmakers and futurists call augmented reality." So this technology is not just exciting for our cars, it will also be integrated into many other aspects of life.

Mercedes-benz's project Dynamic and Intuitive Control System (DICE) uses gestures to control the display.

So, I guess we should see more technology like this in the near future. The safety issues surrounding this are still yet unknown. It may be more safe or less safe, or just present different safety challenges. Man, the future is awesome.

Thats a good point alcatraz, Fighter pilots have had a HUD on their canopies for sometime now. Granted Fighter pilots dont have to deal with bumper to bumper traffic in the clouds, but flying Mach 1 certainly demands a level of concentration.

The GLA could do something similar where only a fraction of the windshield is the HUD, they could even do away with the instrument cluster and use the lower half or 1/4 of the windshield for display. I just dont think having directions flashing across the whole windshield is practical when the only person who needs the directions is on one side.

OUUUUU imagine the possibilities of a split screen type of job where the passenger gets to "play" with the windshield, browse around watch videos whatever, but the driver cant see it. Some cars a few years back had that ability on the Dash screen where the passengers could watch movies but from the drivers angle the screen was black. I'm not sure how that would work using the windshield as the screen though.

 

[Truthiness]

Thats a good point alcatraz, Fighter pilots have had a HUD on their canopies for sometime now. Granted Fighter pilots dont have to deal with bumper to bumper traffic in the clouds, but flying Mach 1 certainly demands a level of concentration.

The GLA could do something similar where only a fraction of the windshield is the HUD, they could even do away with the instrument cluster and use the lower half or 1/4 of the windshield for display. I just dont think having directions flashing across the whole windshield is practical when the only person who needs the directions is on one side.

OUUUUU imagine the possibilities of a split screen type of job where the passenger gets to "play" with the windshield, browse around watch videos whatever, but the driver cant see it. Some cars a few years back had that ability on the Dash screen where the passengers could watch movies but from the drivers angle the screen was black. I'm not sure how that would work using the windshield as the screen though.

Interesting as a possibility, but it would really dampen conversation between the passengers and the driver. This technology could radically change the interior desgin of cars though. If all the car info was on the windshield, you wouldn't need all the meters behind the steering wheel for the driver. There would be a lot of room for new design ideas with the freedom. Aside from that, the display itself would also be something that could use a lot of design ideas. It will be exciting to see this technology first in concept cars, and then eventually in production models. Makes me think of the movie A.I.